Turbine Cooling Manifold Segmented Flanges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior gas turbine engine turbine case cooling recovery ducts are complex and require numerous pieces, leading to challenging installation and maintenance procedures.
Innovation Solution
A turbine cooling manifold with a plurality of pieces extending in a circumferential direction, secured by abutting flanges, featuring cooling channels between inner and outer walls, air inlets, and aligned fingers that direct air into a main conduit for efficient cooling and recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large number of pieces are used to form the recovery duct, then the cooling coverage can be improved, but the device complexity and installation maintenance difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling manifold is divided into a plurality of pieces, each extending in a circumferential direction to abutting flanges. These segmented pieces can be assembled together to form the complete cooling manifold, providing comprehensive cooling coverage while maintaining manageable complexity through modular construction
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple cooling functions are merged into a single integrated cooling manifold structure that combines several pieces with cooling channels, air inlets, and finger structures. This merging approach provides complete cooling coverage while reducing the overall number of separate components compared to traditional multi-piece duct configurations
2Reliability
If a large number of pieces are used to form the recovery duct, then the cooling coverage can be improved, but the installation and maintenance procedures become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling manifold is segmented into multiple pieces that can be independently manufactured and then assembled using abutting flanges. This segmentation allows for easier handling and installation of individual pieces while maintaining complete cooling coverage when assembled together
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling manifold pieces are designed with universal features including standardized abutting flanges for assembly, integrated cooling channels, and finger structures that align with air outlets. These universal design elements simplify installation procedures and maintenance operations across different engine configurations
3Productivity
If cooling air is delivered through multiple pieces, then the cooling efficiency can be improved, but the air delivery system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple air delivery functions are merged into an integrated cooling manifold structure where cooling channels, air inlets, and finger structures work together as a unified system. This merging provides efficient cooling air distribution while reducing system complexity compared to multiple separate air delivery components
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling manifold utilizes circumferential extension of multiple pieces arranged in a circular pattern around the turbine case. This dimensional arrangement allows cooling air to be delivered efficiently in all directions simultaneously, improving cooling efficiency while maintaining a compact integrated structure
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Simplifies the cooling process by reducing the number of components and streamlining installation and maintenance, enhancing the efficiency of cooling air delivery and recovery within the gas turbine engine.
Implementation Method 1
cooling air is provided to cool the turbine case
Implementation Method 2
Air inlets deliver air into the cooling channels. Fingers on the outer wall of the cooling manifold are aligned within an air outlet, such that air can be delivered into the inlet, cool an interior of the cooling manifold in cooling channels, and leave through the outlet into the fingers
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling manifold has a plurality of pieces. The pieces extend in a circumferential direction to abutting flanges. The flanges are secured together at circumferential ends of each piece. Cooling channels are formed in between inner and outer walls. Air inlets are formed in the pieces with the air inlets delivering air in the interior. There are fingers on an outer periphery. The fingers are aligned within an air outlet. The air can be delivered into the inlet, cool the interior, and leave through the outlet extending to a main conduit. The main conduit is secured directly to an outer periphery of the cooling manifold.